lifespan of transmission
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
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lifespan of transmission
Looking at a 2001 Edie Bauer Expedition 4x4 5.4L with 175,000 on it. Owner says he never has had any troubles and it runs as good as new. He has never used it to pull trailers. He has had the fluid and filter flushed and changed. I know there is no sure things but I just would hate to buy this thing and have the tranny go out shortly. How many miles can one get with these transmissions?
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
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From: So Cal
Lifespan is extremly variable. Some will last 15,000 miles(my lincoln did) or go forever. In my experience, on average you will get a good 100,000+- miles of trouble free tranny service with normal checkups and fluid changes. After that it all depends.
At 175,000 miles you are probably on the side of worn out parts in the future. It would be good to know what the tranny shop found in the pan when they did the last fluid change. A lot can be told from color, smell, particles etc.
I would check the fluid to see if it smells and looks OK and if it is just drive until you have problems. If you haven't bought the truck yet, you wouold definitely want a price adjustment since an expensive rebuild could be hiding around the corner. You might even take it to a shop and ask then to test drive it. Most will do this for free. Use a reputable shop since some will tell you of course it needs a rebuild NOW even if it doesn't.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
At 175,000 miles you are probably on the side of worn out parts in the future. It would be good to know what the tranny shop found in the pan when they did the last fluid change. A lot can be told from color, smell, particles etc.
I would check the fluid to see if it smells and looks OK and if it is just drive until you have problems. If you haven't bought the truck yet, you wouold definitely want a price adjustment since an expensive rebuild could be hiding around the corner. You might even take it to a shop and ask then to test drive it. Most will do this for free. Use a reputable shop since some will tell you of course it needs a rebuild NOW even if it doesn't.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 2
From: Lynnwood, WA
Maybe Mark K. can shed some light on the design life of transmissions, and various failure modes.
I can categorize failures:
a) normal End Of Life wearout -- I'm fairly sure that 200k or more
b) Accelerated wearout due to various factors like severe service, abuse, neglect, contamination, etc
c) Catastrophic failure due to latent manufacturing defect
d) Catastrophic failure due to overload or abuse
I can categorize failures:
a) normal End Of Life wearout -- I'm fairly sure that 200k or more
b) Accelerated wearout due to various factors like severe service, abuse, neglect, contamination, etc
c) Catastrophic failure due to latent manufacturing defect
d) Catastrophic failure due to overload or abuse
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,714
Likes: 2,640
From: SE Florida
I can't comment on the design life of the trans. That's a trade secret and I signed something when I left Ford that I wouldn't divulge info like that.
I would not expect a trans at 170k miles to be near the end of it's life unless it's been abused.
I would not expect a trans at 170k miles to be near the end of it's life unless it's been abused.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,907
Likes: 39
From: suburban atlanta
If he had the fluid changed some time ago, pull the stick, and take a whiff. If the fluid is burnt looking, (brown) or smells BAD, then you know that it needs changing again. If it is purplish, and doesn't smell like anything other than petroleum, then in the time since the last change, it has not been undergoing breakdown of the fluid, (beyond normal) that would be caused by heat above normal operating temperature.
If it is burned and smelly, then you know that it has undergone enough slippage and resultant heat, to start the fluid on its way out. That means it has damaged the fluid in that time interval, and thus has a problem.
I have 245K on an AXOD, which was never known for its durability. I have changed the fluid 3 or 4 times. I don't abuse it, and made sure it was kept full. I had to replace the speed sensor as it would not stay locked up in OD. You can get a lot of miles from most any automatic if it has no major design flaws. They hate heat.
tom
If it is burned and smelly, then you know that it has undergone enough slippage and resultant heat, to start the fluid on its way out. That means it has damaged the fluid in that time interval, and thus has a problem.
I have 245K on an AXOD, which was never known for its durability. I have changed the fluid 3 or 4 times. I don't abuse it, and made sure it was kept full. I had to replace the speed sensor as it would not stay locked up in OD. You can get a lot of miles from most any automatic if it has no major design flaws. They hate heat.
tom
